NATCHEZ &045; For one hour it was planned, carefully controlled chaos.

Children were allowed to scream at the top of the lungs, jump around, run, jump and do the splits.

Teachers did much of the same.

The psychology behind the afternoon pep rally at Morgantown Elementary was a little beyond the grasp of the average second- through sixth-grade mind &045; but having fun certainly was not.

Morgantown’s students, just like those at McLaurin Elementary and Robert Lewis Middle School have heard plenty this year about the Mississippi Curriculum Test.

They know the state test carries very high stakes for them &045; third- and seventh-graders can’t move to the next grade without a passing score &045; and they know it means a lot for their schools and their district.

They know what type of questions to expect, and they know there will probably be some they don’t know the answer to.

They know their principals, teachers, parents and friends are counting on them to make the grade.

They know what pressure is.

But for one hour Monday afternoon in the Morgantown gym, they forgot.

&uot;This helped me sit back and chill,&uot; fifth-grader Alexis Johnson said after the pep rally.

&uot;Chillin&uot; was exactly what her teachers hoped would happen.

&uot;Children have a phobia of tests,&uot; third-grade teacher Linda Patten said. &uot;If they are relaxed they think better. And we do whatever it takes to motivate them to do their best and have a fighting spirit.&uot;

Starting this morning second- through eight-graders will take the writing portion of the MCT. Language and math will follow on Wednesday and Thursday.

All district schools have used various types of preparation to boost scores this year.

&uot;We used the MCT coach book,&uot; Morgantown fifth-grader Ciara Smith said. &uot;I’m ready.&uot;

Smith’s confidence wasn’t shared by all her friends though, even though they all seemed to realize that the test was no joke.

&uot;I bite my nails when I’m nervous,&uot; fourth-grader Alexis Phipps said while holding up chewed off nails.